Flow Measurement in Smart Medical Inhalers

Inhalers are among the most commonly used devices for treating respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). With each inhalation through the inhaler, the...

3D-Printed Micro-Robots Hold Promise for Drug Delivery

Georgia Tech researchers have shown that robots about the size of a particle of dust are capable of precise bidirectional control. By harnessing the power of a magnetic field generated...

Products of Tomorrow

This column presents technologies that have applications in commercial areas, possibly creating the products of tomorrow. To learn more about each technology, see the contact information provided for that innovation.

Wireless Smart Contact Lenses Detect Disease

These smart lenses can be used to diagnose and treat diabetes.

Wearable Patch to Treat Melanoma

The patch enables unobtrusive drug delivery through the skin for the management of skin cancers.

Micro-Robots Propelled by Air Bubbles and Ultrasound

A remotely controlled microswimmer could navigate the human body and aid in drug delivery.

Implantable Stimulator Speeds Tendon Healing

The device combines with body power to treat tendon disease and damage, and sports injuries.

Swimming Living Robots Can Self-Train

Biobots based on muscle cells can swim at unprecedented velocities.

Graphene-Based Device for Ultrasensitive Biosensors

The device provides the first step toward ultrasensitive biosensors to detect diseases at the molecular level with near-perfect efficiency.

Smartwatch Tracks Medication Levels

The device could help doctors personalize treatments.

Sonolithography Uses Ultrasound for Non-Contact Patterning on Surfaces

The new printing method coaxes particles and droplets into precise patterns using the power of sound.

Hydrodynamic Effect Helps Motorized Objects Navigate Inclines

The tiny motors mimic how rock climbers navigate inclines.

New Electron Microscopy Technique Offers First Look at Previously Hidden Processes

Northwestern researchers have developed a new microscopy method that allows scientists to see the building blocks of “smart” materials.

Sound Waves Power Advances in Smart Materials

High-frequency sound waves can be used to build new materials, make smart nanoparticles, and even deliver drugs to the lungs for painless, needle-free vaccinations.

Designing Soft Materials that Mimic Biological Functions

The soft material demonstrates autonomous, heartbeat-like oscillating properties.

Smartphone-Based Medical Tests

A smartphone, combined with nanoscale porous silicon, enables inexpensive, simple, home diagnostics.

Tattoo Made of Gold Nanoparticles Revolutionizes Medical Diagnostics

Color changes of gold nanoparticles under the skin reveal concentration changes of substances in the body.

New Electron Microscopy Technique Offers First Look at Previously Hidden Processes

Northwestern researchers have developed a new microscopy method that allows scientists to see the building blocks of “smart” materials being formed at the nanoscale.

3D Printing of Gels and Soft Materials

A new method could jump-start the creation of tiny medical devices for the body.

Material System Harnesses Evaporation to Keep Items Cool

Inspired by camel fur, a two-layered material could provide extended cooling to preserve the freshness of perishable goods.

Quantum-Limit-Approaching Chemical Sensing Chip

Study shows improvements to chemical sensing chip that aims to quickly and accurately identify drugs and other trace chemicals.

Biosensor Enables Real-Time Oxygen Monitoring for Organs-On-A-Chip

This sensor makes it possible to ensure that such systems more closely mimic the function of real organs.

Products of Tomorrow

A smartwatch that tracks medication levels, a flexible LED, and NASA's "Micro-Organ" device platform.

Laser Technology Assesses Cancer Cells

Laser light induces ultrasonic vibrations in a sample that can be used to image cells, blood vessels, and tissues.

4D Printing Creates Microneedles to Replace Hypodermics

Inspired by parasites, the tiny needles could help eliminate painful shots.

Blinking Artificial Human Eye Replica for Disease Modeling and Drug Testing

This eye-on-a-chip can help treatment of dry eye disease.

Magnetic Force Manages Pain

This gel-like material leads a path toward “mechanoceuticals.”

Active Material Created Out of Microscopic Spinning Particles

This material could have applications such as mixing and delivery in the pharmaceutical industry.

'Artificial Leaf' Produces Clean Gas

This method of producing clean syngas could be used to develop a sustainable liquid fuel alternative to gasoline.